Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-11-16
TALKING ABOUT COMMERCE.
A Letter from the President Read nj
a New York Dinner-sene Notable
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At the annual dinner OF the Chamber Of Com
merce, In New York. last evening, covers were
laid for 212 guests At the head OF the table sat
the president Of the Chamber OF Commerce. Chas-
s. Smith. At his right sat Secretary Of the
Treasury Chas. s. Faircnild, and his left Secre-
tary OF the Interior l. Q. c. Lamar. Then on his
right were ranged the Right Hon JOS
Chamberlain, Chauncey NJ. Depew and Sir
George Campbell In response to an In
vitatlon to the dinner President Cleveland sent
the following letter, which was read by Presi-
dent Smith at the opening OF the dinner: cit would
certainly give me great pleasure To be pres mt on
that occasion and meet those who, TO a great ex-
ests represented In your association. am sure,
too, that should derive profit as well pleasure
from such meeting Those charged by the peo-
pie with the management OF their government can
not fail 10 enhance their usefulness by familiarity
with business conditions and Intimacy with busi-
ness men, since good government has no more
important mission than the stimulation and pro-
lection OF the activities OF the country This rea-
ton between government and business suggests
the thought that the members or such assOcta-
lions as yours owe to the members and to all the
people OF the land a thoughtful discharge OF their
political obligations, guarded by their practical
knowledge OF affairs, to the end that there may be
impressed upon the administration OF our govern
ment business character and tendency, free from
the diversion OF passion and unmoved by sudden
gusts OF excitement. But the most wholesome
purpose OF their political action will not be
Pushed by an insistance upon their exclusive
fare OF the people at large. IDterdependence is so
fully an element In our national existence that a
patriotic and generous heed TO the general good
seems 10 best subserve every particular interest"
senator sherman, In a letter OF regrets, said:
"Perhaps the most important subject for the I'M
mediate future is the extension OF our commerce,
especially into Mexico and the South American
States The enormous Development OF our internal
industry has now made IL neceSS ry to seek for
eign markets for our surplus productions. The
most hopeful field for such operations Is In the
growing demands OF the American continent for
many articles that the United States, better than
any other country, can furnish them"
ToastS or the President OF the United States and
the queen OF Great Britain were drunk standing.
secretary Lamar responded to the former In a very
neat and appropriate speech. Referring to the
commerce OF the country, he said: ''From 1924 to
1881 the tonnage tell more than 5000 tons; from
1881 TO 1S4I II rose and doubled what it was at the
beginning; from 1S4l 10 1860 IL Sprang forwards IL
was many thousand tons more than double; from
1866 10 1856 IL continued 10 decrease. No wonder
that friends look forward almost hopelessly Tor
the time when American ships shall again whiten
every sea. Gentlemen, am only stating facts,
chief cause is that artificial One-prOtectiOn."
Chauncey NJ. Depew responded TO the toast of
the queen. After an appropriate speech he said,
In conclusion: "NOw let us lay all political theO-
ries aside and see II that magnificent commerce
carried on by England aud Germany cannot, with
proper subsidies be carried on by us"
Hon. Joseph Chamberlain made brief speech.
reaching the conclusion that Eng land and America
could not AFFORD the luxury OF a quarrel Addresses
were made also by Mayor Hewitt, George william
Curtis, and James G. Carter.